HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 08.07 PRC MinutesCity of Apache Junction
Parks and Recreation Commission
300 E. Superstition Blvd.
Apache Junction, Az. 85119
A regular meeting of the City of Apache Junction, Parks and
Recreation Commission was held August 7, 2013 at the Apache
Junction City Hall pursuant to notice as prescribed by law.
Present
Theresa A. Nesser,Chairman (Late)
Conrad Pisinski, Vice -Chairman
Mona Barton
Jesse Gage
Jennifer McGraw
Wayne Standage
Jeff Stuble
Absent
Staff Present: Jeff Bell, Director of Parks & Recreation
Mary D. March, Administrative Assistant
CALL TO ORDER:
Vice Chairman Pisinski called the meeting to order at 6:00
p.m. and led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
Wayne Standage motioned to accept the agenda with New
Business Item 3 being moved up right after Acceptance of
Agenda. Mona Barton seconded this motion, which passed
unanimously.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
Jeff Struble motioned to accept the minutes of June 5, 2013
regular meeting.Mona Barton seconded the motion, which
passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
Presentation and discussion on community baseball facility
proposed by Rich Favia.
Rich Favia expressed his wishes for Apache Junction Little
Leaguers to have at least one championship field or a major
league field that could be used as their home field. Pittsburg
has expressed interest in coming here rather than Florida.He
has also received a lot of interest/support from businesses.
Many grants are available for development once land is acquired,
and for maintenance once developed, just not for land, and that
is what he is asking of the Parks and Recreation Department.Is
there any land available to set aside for this purpose?
Chairman Nesser explained existing Parks and Recreation land has
been planned for in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, which
includes plans for a BMX facility, Amphitheater and Exhibit
Hall, etc_If we acquire new land it would have to undergo the
same process.
Mr. Bell advised that we have no unplanned land North of Highway
60.Most likely would have to wait until infrastructure is put
in south of 60 and land is set aside for park facilities.
Jeff Struble mentioned he believed a major league field needs
about 150 acres.
Chairman Nesser suggested the possibility of interested parties
raising money to purchase property.
Mr. Bell mentioned the School District has two fields out at the
old Thunder Mountain Middle School that are sitting idle, as a
possible option.
Rich said he would go talk to the school and keep us up to date
on what happens.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Mr. Bell informed Commissioner Barton and Vice -Chairman Pisinski
that their terms are up the end of October and would like for
them to communicate their interest in continuing or not, and we
will pass this on to the City Clerk's office for consideration
by the City Council.
City Council approved the budget which includes a 3% general
increase for employees, in our department the addition of a 19
hour a week Park Maintenance Worker and Park Ranger position and
replacement of fitness equipment at the MGC.
The America's Disability Act amended some standards in 2010.In
our area they deal primarily with swimming pools, pool, fitness
equipment and recreation center access. In the city's need to
comply with the updated standards, services were contracted for
this purpose, as we did not have resources to conduct an
assessment in house. As a result we have been provided with a
manual of our shortcomings. Improvements identified have been
provided in a 3 phase approach and will cost approximately
500,000.00. The key to be ADA compliant is to have this
transition plan, identifying our needs and that we are working
on them.Phase I will probably take us about 3 years
realistically.The Manager's office paid for this assessment
which puts us in a good position for quite a while.
Jeff Bell provided a handout of the Parks and Recreation Work
Plan for Fiscal Year 2013/14 and reviewed with the commission.
Included are the IGA, expansion of on-line capabilities,
advancing downtown public space, procurement of fitness
equipment and special event equipment, ADA compliant
sidewalks/walkways at Prospector Park, exploration of revenue
generating ideas and improving marketing, ADA training, City
Council's direction to staff to work with Don's Club to better
market with signage etc_ location of the Lost Dutchman Monument,
North Apache Trail coordination of landscape and lighting,
improving department efficiency and effectiveness by moving the
MGC maintenance position to parks budget with other department
maintenance positions.
Jesse Gage expressed concerned with how aggressive the timeline
for ADA compliance may be and how much flexibility we have in
developing schedule so we don't get behind, that would not be a
good place to be.
Jeff Struble inquired, his understanding to be, that not only
new construction but, existing facilities need to be brought
into compliance.
Mr. Bell affirmed.
OLD BUSINESS:
Update and discussion on "Impact Fee" study and utilization.
Mr. Bell relayed that there are two issues that need to be
clarified, related to Impact Fees, the first is due to state law
change in 2012 on what they can be used for.So the City
contracted a consultant to update impact fees. Mr. Bell has a
meeting with Development Services Director Brad Stenke to find
out what new impact fees are and what they can be used for.The
second is the utilization of existing impact fees, collected
under old guidelines. City Council has directed staff to
purchase special event equipment like event tents, portable
stage, barricades and inflatables. We are also planning to use
for the ADA sidewalk/walkways at Prospector Park and are hoping
to convert a couple tennis courts into pickleball courts, if
this qualifies as new construction.
Jennifer McGraw inquired about storage for special event
equipment.
Mr. Bell advised we may need to consider using some of these
fees for storage, we do not currently have.
NEW BUSINESS:
Presentation and discussion on department revenues and
expenditure.
Mr. Bell provided information requested on department revenue
and expenditures.
Commissioner Struble inquired if we were keeping up on equipment
needs or maintenance only. He also asked about contracted
services.
Mr. Bell explained we are keeping up on maintenance needs, we
have purchased new lawn maintenance equipment, gator, court
worker tool trailer, as well as providing regular maintenance to
all parks equipment, and planning for replacement as necessary.
"Contracted Services" is for the maintenance of right -of way
areas we have developed.
Update and discussion on program participation and facility
usage.
Mr. Bell explained program participation and facility usage, for
example, at the Pool and MGC this is difficult to gauge with our
new online system.The pool daily entry is Point of Sale, pool
attendance was down but revenues were the same as previous year.
The MGC totals do not include Senior Center program attendance
or facility fees for rentals. Our agreement with East Mesa
Senior Services reads they provide programs, meals on wheels and
we provide space. In 2010 we increased fees, attendance at the
MGC went down. There is no clear cut comparison with all the
differing factors.
Request by the Commission for placement of items on future
agenda.
Impact Fees Discussion & Planning
Selection of next meeting date.
October 2, 2013
CALL TO PUBLIC:
None
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Chairman Nesser adjourned the
meeting at 7:27 p.m.
Vice -Chairman